Dementia Sherpa – Sharing Strategies to Help You Cope With Dementia. More than 16 years of experience in helping over 1,100 people living with dementia. Dementia Sherpa helps families move from constant crisis management to confidence.

Denial. Arguing. Lying. Behaviors.

“It’s an excellent, high-value guide! I feel so blessed that I get to read it and soak up your expertise and advice. Gives the reader an AMAZING head start!”
– Regan Black, South Carolina

As Seen, Heard, and Warmly Received At:

Speaker Consultant Trainer

Peace. Harmony. Moments of Joy. Ease. Respect. Kindness. Love.

Sounds good, yeah?

It can be that way with your parent or partner living with dementia, too. Really.

I got my start working with people living with dementia when I was 8 years old, when my mom took me to work with her one summer day. My ‘job’ was to visit with the residents. (To my 8 year-old mind, my ‘job’ was to soak up the attention of 50 grandmas and grandpas. Best summer job ever.)

A great big guy (think the guy in The Green Mile) decided he was going to walk home to St. Louis. We were in California, in the middle of nowhere. It was a hundred and hell out that day.

The staff told him he couldn’t walk home. It was too far away. He’d get tired. He couldn’t walk that far. It was too hot. Blah blah blah.

Four staff cornered him to keep him from going out the door. I told you how big he was; you know what happened next.

Somewhere in my 8 year-old brain, I got the genius idea that I’d be helpful. So I ran out of the building, out the gate, and down the road after him.

When I caught up to him, I looked up at him and put my hand out. He put his hand in mine. I turned around, and he followed suit because we were holding hands. We walked back into the building together.

What’s the point? That managing dementia is so easy even an 8 year-old can do it? Nah.

I did happen to get it right that day, but it took a little over 20 years to figure out what I did that made that interaction successful.

In fact, my next memorable interaction with a person living with dementia is from my very first day as a professional. That’s the day I got hit upside the head and knocked on my butt–all before lunch time. After lunch, I made a nice lady cry because of my stupidity.

Those experiences were powerful motivators for figuring out what worked and what clearly did not.

The point is, I did figure out what works. And the good news is, you don’t have to figure it out. I already did, and I’m happy to show you.

● I’ll show you why arguing doesn’t work–and what to do instead.

● Explain how we fall into the trap of arguing–and a mindset shift that will keep you out of that trap.

● Give you exact strategies for how to avoid arguments, AND how to communicate with your parent or partner in a way that makes sense to them.

● Explain what’s really going on when your parent or partner is “lying,” in “denial,” or “having behaviors.” You may be shocked when you find out (…and then facepalm when it suddenly makes such obvious sense to you).

None of these tips and strategies cost money to implement, and they’re all yours, free.